Two taken to hospital after hotel kitchen fire

At the fire's height, six firefighters with breathing apparatus were tackling it using high-pressure hose reels

Two hotel workers were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation after a fire in the kitchen of a hotel.

Guernsey Fire Service said Saints Bay Hotel's 35 guests were moved to Styx community centre while alternative accommodation was being arranged.

Crews were called shortly after 07:20 BST on Sunday, and the fire has now been brought under control, a spokesperson for the service said.

Fire crews remain at the scene to check if the fire has spread, and Icart Road remains closed, the service said.

Station officer Gary Van der Linden said at the height of the fire, six firefighters with breathing apparatus were tackling it using high-pressure hose reels.

"We've had to do a lot of cutting away just to make sure there's no fire spread in the voids of the hotel," he said.

An investigation into the cause was under way."

Crews were called to Saints Bay Hotel shortly after 07:20 BST

Kevin Murphy, Channel Islands emergency planning officer, said all the hotel guests had now been found other places to stay.

"It's obviously very traumatic," he said, "This is exactly not what you come on holiday for.

"Hopefully we've made it less traumatic for them and they can enjoy the rest of their time in Guernsey and will leave with fond memories - albeit not as expected."

Theresa and Steve Hood - who are visiting Guernsey for the first time - said despite, their "smoky clothes" they planned to return to the island in future

When hotel guest Theresa Hood heard the alarm she initially thought it could be a drill, but at "five past seven in the morning it's unlikely," she said.

Once she and her husband Steve smelled smoke, they put on their shoes and "decided to get out then", still wearing their pyjamas.

It was "quite scary", she added, but most of the other guests were out quickly.

'Lovely community'

The couple, who are visiting Guernsey for the first time, were due to visit Sark today, but said despite the change of plans they were determined to make "a positive out of a negative".

"People have just rallied around and looked after us," Mrs Hood said, "We've been so well looked after."

Mr Hood added: "They've been very kind to us; they've given us tea, coffee, sandwiches - even phone chargers.

"They've done all the things they could do, so big round of applause for the lovely community."

The couple said despite their "smoky clothes" they planned to return to Guernsey in the future.